1911 Census: 'feeble-minded'

[Maria Magenta]

In the 1911 census I found a couple of relatives I wasn't really aware of with this description (which is horrible). There's no way now of knowing what this actually meant, and anyone who would have known is no longer here, but it raises questions like did they go to an ordinary school and what happened to them in later life. And there's no way of finding out!
Coincidentally, my mother used to work in a school for children with physical and mental disabilities.

 

[pjmburns]

You don't say their age so were they scho age in 1911? Are they on the 1921 census? Of so does that give any clue.
Trouble is it could be what today would be Downs Syndrome, cerebral palsy or similar but it might also have just been "slow development"

 

[Astoness]

yes it is horrible but we have to remember that back then the words that we now find acceptable was not invented..another word i used to hear children called was spastic meaning learning problems or being disabled...then of course we had the word lunatic which i have seen on many census papers...of course in those days people did not know how to help the poor unfortunate children and adults...we have come a long way since then

lyn.

 

[Maria Magenta]

You don't say their age so were they scho age in 1911? Are they on the 1921 census? Of so does that give any clue.
Trouble is it could be what today would be Downs Syndrome, cerebral palsy or similar but it might also have just been "slow development"

I forgot to say that they were young adults, late teens and early twenties, and they were working. So far I haven't found them in 1921 - have to keep on looking. It's something to untangle.

yes it is horrible but we have to remember that back then the words that we now find acceptable was not invented..another word i used to hear children called was spastic meaning learning problems or being disabled...then of course we had the word lunatic which i have seen on many census papers...of course in those days people did not know how to help the poor unfortunate children and adults...we have come a long way since then

lyn.

You're right, and I remember the term ESN (educationally sub-normal) in the 1970s. And it was at a time when a woman with post-natal depression could be admitted to an asylum. Thank goodness things have moved on.

 

[Pedrocut]

I think you may be able to find out more about the term “feeble minded” as it is used in numerous official documents.

 

[pjmburns]

A Google search revealed this:

The term "feeble-minded" was used in the past to describe individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities or developmental delays. It was a clinical and legal term used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the context of education and social welfare. This term is now considered outdated and offensive due to its pejorative connotations.

Historical Context:

The term "feeble-minded" emerged in the late 1800s and early 1900s as a way to categorize individuals with intellectual disabilities, differentiating them from those considered "idiots" or "imbeciles".

Focus on Education and Social Welfare:

The concept of "feeble-mindedness" was particularly relevant in discussions about education and social welfare, as it influenced decisions about whether individuals were placed in special schools or institutions.

Shifting Terminology:

In the mid-20th century, the term "feeble-minded" began to be replaced with terms like "educationally sub-normal" (ESN) and later, "mentally retarded" or "intellectually disabled".

 

[Maria Magenta]

Thank you Janice and Pedrocut. It's an interesting point about words used now being unavailable at that time. Diagnoses are quite nuanced now (I think).

 

[Smudger]

A Google search revealed this:

In the mid-20th century, the term "feeble-minded" began to be replaced with terms like "educationally sub-normal" (ESN) and later, "mentally retarded" or "intellectually disabled".

Through the 70s/80s we fostered a young lad classed as ESN. I taught him the best i could to read & write. He was a lovely lad & still keeps in touch today.

 

[A Sparks]

I guess the old fashioned term 'feeble minded' could cover a variety of things, people weren't meaning to be rude they just wouldn't know any other words to describe it. The information about various conditions just wasn't available to the general public in years gone by.
I remember my Nan would sometimes refer to someone with a physical disability as 'a bit of a cripple' which would not be acceptable now! She just didn't have any idea what was actually wrong with them.